Grain science faculty member named distinguished professor

MANHATTAN, KANSAS, U.S. — Bhadriraju Subramanyam, the Don Wilbur Sr. professor of postharvest protection in the grain science and industry department, was among three professors named university distinguished professors by Kansas State University (KSU).

University distinguished professor is a lifetime title and the highest honor the university bestows on its faculty members. The distinguished professors are appointed following a university-wide competition conducted by the provost.

"Our newest university distinguished professors represent the very best scholars in their fields," said April Mason, university provost and senior vice-president. "Through their outstanding teaching, research and creative work, they demonstrate dedication to education and scholarship. We rely on such distinguished leaders as we move toward becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025."

The new distinguished professors will receive a personalized plaque and medallion at the university's fall 2014 commencement ceremonies.

Subramanyam is recognized internationally for his expertise in applying integrated pest management programs to protect dry, durable commodities and their products from the farm to the fork.

Subramanyam conducts research, education and technology transfer programs in the management of insect pests associated with stored raw grains, food/feed processing facilities, warehouses and retail environments using alternatives to pesticides. Subramanyam joined the university's grain science and industry department in 1999. Since joining the university, he has published 69 peer-reviewed research papers and four books and has given 151 invited oral presentations. His research has garnered more than $19 million in grants.

He received the 2004 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award, the 2012 Award of Excellence in Integrated Pest Management Research from the Entomological Society of America Foundation, the2012 Andersons Cereals and Oilseeds Award of Excellence in recognition of outstanding research accomplishments and the 2013 Commerce Bank Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award.

Subramanyam received his doctorate and master's degrees in entomology from the University of Minnesota and his bachelor's degree from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University in India.